Am I?

How come when I explain my parenting techniques to someone they always say, "wow you sound like a great mom!" Am I? I believe I am a good mom, my kids are all clean, all on par with where they should be or beyond in the case of speech and language and walking all my kids walked and talked early. All my boys were potty trained by 3 or shortly thereafter without much fuss. All of them know their manners, though they may forget them now and then. As parents we all brag, my kids are the greatest, the smartest, the best, etc. But is that because the parent is a good parent or because the kids are doing their best? I do my best with my kids that I know how. I gave up addictions for my kids, I try and give them each their own time, I take time for my kids when they ask, but I still worry that I am making mistakes. My oldest is 13 now and he is truly an amazing kid, but did I do that or did he? He has never talked back to me, never swore at me, never told me he hates me(my 6 yr old has yelled this at me a couple of times). I have learned as a parent that each child needs to be parented differently and what works for one kid may not work for all your kids. My first was a very mellow easy going kid, still is, my next one however was not and is not...I am glad that I got all boys as I would have to adapt again to raising a girl. As a parent I believe in holding my kids, picking them up when they cry, breastfeeding as long as possible, co-sleeping, baby wearing, the occasional spanking when warranted, individual time with my kids as much as possible, keeping my boys intact(non circumcised), putting down what I am doing to pay attention to them, snuggles when asked for them, play as often as we can. Do I make mistakes? Of course I do. Do I make corrections? Of course I do. Am I a great parent? I like to think so...but at the same time I believe I can be better. I strive to be better every day in taking time for myself and making sure that I am OK I make sure that my kids are amazing also! You should meet them they really are something! :)